JOHN LESSON 33
We will begin this lesson in John 11:46.
V-46, "But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and
told them what things Jesus had done."
This had to be really shocking to these Jewish leaders who had
not seen, or been able themselves to raise the dead. We see in verse
45 that they (Jews) had been there to comfort Mary. This was in the
last lesson, but needs to be noted. We do not k now if this was
mentioned because Mary was closer to Lazarus or not. We do know that
Mary had not gone out of the house until Jesus called for her.
V-47, "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a
council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles."
This council that was called was a religious council and could
not carry out sentence on anyone. They judged whether things that
were done lined up with the Scriptures or not. This council consisted
ordinarily of seventy-one men. They would discus s the matter at hand
and then take a vote. We see here, that they finally admitted that
Jesus really is doing miracles. As we have said many times before in
these lessons, they were jealous because they could not perform the
miracles Jesus did, and they were afraid they would lose their
following to Jesus. In verse 48, you can really see their jealousy.
V-48, "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him:
and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation."
They did not even recognize the fact that He in doing these
fantastic miracles meant that this was their long awaited Messiah.
They really were afraid that they would lose their place in the place
of worship and among the people. They liked very much being put up on
a pedestal where they did not belong. They enjoyed being thought of
as holy men of God. They had a form of belief, but were caught up in
the letter of the law and not the spirit. They were afraid the Romans
would take their religious rule away.
V-49, "And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest
that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,"
Actually Annas and Caiaphas are mentioned to be high priests at
this time. Some think Caiaphas received this position because He was
Annas' son-in-law. Many of the Levitical laws were being twisted to
fit the occasion. The high priest (Caiaphas) h ad the last say over
the priests. God spoke to the people through the high priest.
V-50, "Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man
should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not."
First of all, the high priest should be more learned in the
Scriptures than the priests. More than that though, God spoke to the
people through the breastplate of the high priest. I personally
believe that this message came through the high priest, that this was
a prophecy from God. The high priest was to speak what God's message
was, and I believe that is what happens here. God is letting them
know, through this high priest's message, that this Jesus will die for
the sin of the world.
V-51, "And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest
that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;"
V-52, "And not for that nation only, but that also he should
gather together in one the children of God that were scattered
abroad."
This explains fully that this is not the high priest speaking,
but rather God speaking through this high priest. In Exodus chapter
28 verse 30, we read of the Urim and Thummin which the high priest
wore which kept the people on his heart all the time. God spoke
prophetically to the people through this on the high priest, as well.
I believe that is what happened here. This Urim and Thummin on the
breast of the high priest caused him to be the mediator between God
and man. Urim and Thummin mean lights and perfections. We see here,
a prophecy of Jesus dying for all that they might be saved; saved not
just from the Romans but from sin itself.
V-53, "Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to
put him to death."
Not only did these others not understand what this high priest
had said, but neither did the high priest understand himself.
V-54, "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but
went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called
Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples."
We see that these Jews really had pronounced sentence on Jesus
and would try to get Him killed at the very first opportunity. This
city of Ephraim was not a Jewish city, because verse 54 says, He
walked no more among the Jews. I personally believe this city of
Ephraim has to do with the Ephraim that got the right hand blessing.
The city of Shechem is usually associated with Ephraim. Perhaps, the
name of the city is not that important. Perhaps, this visit to this
place has to do with the f act that Jesus was first called to the Jew,
and then to the Gentile. Jesus may have decided it was time to go to
the Gentiles. He was not ready to die, because it was not the
appointed time, so He walked among those outside the church who would
accept His miracles and believe His message.
V-55, "And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went
out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify
themselves."
It was customary for the Jews from everywhere to come to
Jerusalem for Passover. Verse 55 here does not mean a few days after
Jesus came out of Jerusalem, but just picks up at a later time,
perhaps, months later. The Jews were not required to go earlier and
cleanse themselves for the Passover. There had become so many
variations of the requirements, that the people were careful not to
overlook any little aspect of the Passover.
V-56, "Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as
they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the
feast?"
They were all speculating about whether Jesus would come or not,
because they knew the Jewish leaders had planned to take Him, if He
came. If He didn't come for Passover, they would use that to say that
Jesus did not keep the feasts. Little did the y know, that Jesus was
the Passover Lamb.
V-57, "Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a
commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it,
that they might take him."
This notice, that had been given out so that they could take
Jesus, was to stir up the people and frighten them into turning Jesus
in. It seems that the ordinary people would not turn Jesus in. They
believed He was Messiah. Even the ones who did not quite believe Him
to be Messiah, thought of Him as a very great prophet. They were not
about to help these Jewish leaders trap Jesus.
Next lesson, we will see Mary anointing Jesus with the perfume.
We will, also, see Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.
Notes
John 33 Questions
1. Where did some of the Jews go after seeing Jesus raise Lazarus
from the dead?
2. Who gathered the council?
3. How many men made up a council?
4. What did they finally admit about Jesus in verse 47?
5. How was this council's power limited?
6. What were they afraid would happen, if they left Jesus alone?
7. Who was mentioned as being high priest?
8. Why was Annas probably named a high priest?
9. Who was really speaking through the high priest?
10. What prophecy was given?
11. Who was one man to die for?
12. What is the Urim and Thummin?
13. What do the two words mean?
14. When the high priest had on the Urim and Thummin, what was he
between God and man?
15. After this council meeting, what had the council decided to do to
Jesus?
16. "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the ______________."
17. Where did He go?
18. Why was Jesus not ready to die at that moment?
19. Why did these Jews go early to purify themselves before Passover?
20. When they sought Jesus at Passover time, what question did they
ask?
21. Who gave the commandment, if anyone knew where Jesus was they were
to tell?
22. Why did not some of the ordinary people expose Jesus' whereabouts?
Notes
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